Normally, the thyroid gland sits in the front part of the neck below and overlying the larynx or voice box. It is a butterfly shaped gland which is vital for the regulation of other related hormones and its function. It secretes hormones that help regulate overall body metabolism and maintain calcium balance in the body. A common disorder of the thyroid is formation of a nodule.
These can be solitary or multiple and may be solid or fluid-filled (cystic). Some nodules contain thyroid cancer but even benign ones can grow large enough to compress the trachea (windpipe) and / or esophagus (food pipe) causing difficulty in breathing, change of voice or swallowing. Fortunately, the vast majority of thyroid nodules are non- cancerous but the chance of a thyroid cancer is high enough that any thyroid swellings in the form of nodules definitely needs to be evaluated.
Evaluation usually includes a blood test to determine the overall level of thyroid gland hormone production. A thyroid ultrasound scan is almost always done to assess the size, location, consistency of the nodule(s), and relationship to nearby structures. A needle biopsy and / or aspiration cytology is frequently performed to obtain cells for analysis and this may be done in conjunction with ultrasound to improve the accuracy of the biopsy.
The results of these various tests should lead to a diagnosis and a recommendation for treatment if any is needed. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the nodule because either the tests were inconclusive or they indicated a suspicion of cancer. There are various modalities of management of such nodules based on the working clinical or radiological diagnosis. There are many factors that have to be taken into consideration when deciding how to deal with a lump in the thyroid.
The ENT surgeon is well equipped and experienced to assess and recommend the proper way forward for a complete cure based on standard recommendations worldwide. Needless to state that , a continuous follow up is needed after the definitive treatment plan or following the surgery of the thyroid gland.
For enquiries :
DR. MOHANTY’S SPECIALITY ENT CLINICS
Manapakkam , Chennai
Website : www.drsanjeevmohanty.com
Email: drsanjeevmohanty@gmail.com
Phone : +91 9840131091
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